Thread: killed my edge

Got a new razor a 6/8 boker silver steel. Was suppose to be shave ready. But found out it wasn't up to my lowly standards. So took it to the hones. Everything was progressing nicely. Strated by dropping down to my naniwa 3000 after a bit moved up to the 8k side then to the 12k. Was doing excellent up to this point. Then got my new apache strada and did 30 small circles and 12 x-strokes. Tried the edge and it was gone

I sent all mine to @cudarunner on this website. Took about a week and he had them all back to me working great.

Originally Posted by nodakjohns

Was doing excellent up to this point. Then got my new apache strada and did 30 small circles and 12 x-strokes. Tried the edge and it was gone

Ruh-roh, I have done that. You can get an excellent finished edge off that Nani 12. I would try again and quit while you're ahead.

Get your daily razors honed by someone who has experience, then buy a throw away to play with while you learn.

I think its very possible that the "new apache strada" is the problem. I don't have any experience with that stone but I suspect that unless you prep the stone properly you will have dissapointing results.

Thanks guys as far as me I'm new to honing. I pretty much only touch up my already shave ready razors and leave the heavy lifting to the pro's. I know I could drop back to the 12k and go to my zulu grey and get a superb edge. I guess I'm just looking for info on how to use this apache to get a good edge.

I've never heard of that hone. Look at the bevel before and after the hone and see what it looks like

Originally Posted by nodakjohns

Thanks guys as far as me I'm new to honing. I pretty much only touch up my already shave ready razors and leave the heavy lifting to the pro's. I know I could drop back to the 12k and go to my zulu grey and get a superb edge. I guess I'm just looking for info on how to use this apache to get a good edge.

I was honing on plain water. So tried building a slurry and got some pretty deep scratch patterns (weight of blade only) so now I diluted it then went to plain water again. Scratches are not as deep but still present. And yes I did lap it with my 325 and then1500 grit w/d. So it is flat.

Doing some research on the hone, I don't think I would use slurry after the 12k, just use it as finisher with plain water. See how that goes

I don't know for sure but I suspect the apache stone is a form of jasper.
If so it is very hard and it is very time consuming to get the ultimate honing surface.
Try scrubbing and rinsing the apache hone several times. It could be that there are loosened particles that are working themselves out and causing the scratches.
Many seasoned honers suggest working the surface with a large knife after lapping it to get some of the stubborn pieces out and to burnish the surface. After that scrub and rinse again.
I really think it is a matter of insufficient surface prep.
I have been working with some Idaho jasper and haven't been able to sufficiently prep a surface in less than several hours time.